Audi RS4 Avant

Audi RS4 Avant.

The new Audi RS4 Avant is a tiger masquerading as a pussycat - a seriously swift high-performance sports machine cleverly cloaked in a swish interpretation of the Euro station wagon.

There are clues this is no mere family chariot, though. Fat low-profile tyres brim the pumped-out wheel arches, two bulbous oval exhaust pipes poke out from the rear and massive brake rotors fill the wheel rims. The stance is mean and squat, with lower side skirts and a rear spoiler to finish the look.

The RS4 Avant is undeniably a car of both blistering performance and enviable practicality - equally capable of carrying out the local grocery run or putting in a few laps at a racetrack.

And the car is further evidence of Audi's determination not to allow its fellow Teutons - BMW (M3) and Mercedes-Benz (AMG C63) - to claim the high ground with driving enthusiasts.

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In the 12 years since the first RS (Renn Sport, or race sport) was introduced, we haven't always fallen in lust with the pinnacle of the Audi line. They've been fast, surefooted and comfortable, but somehow unsatisfying. The previous RS4, in 2006, changed our view as Audi ratcheted up the power, dynamics, styling, comfort and features. It was also fun.

This third-generation RS builds on the sterling work of its predecessor, with the reworked naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 4.2-litre quad-cam V8 FSI revving to an orchestral 8500rpm and developing 331kW along its fast and merry way. That's 22kW up on the previous-generation version.

Torque is ever-present, holding a peak of 430Nm between 4000rpm and 6000rpm. The engine is supported by snappy responses from the latest dual-clutch seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, with paddle shifting. As with all RS models, this one has full-time all-wheel drive with a self-locking centre differential and torque vectoring.

The standard smart sport differential directs the distribution of power between the rear wheels. In dynamic mode, you feel the nose tuck into the corners.

On the road, the RS4 Avant is an easy and effortless cruiser, although always with the hum of those twin exhausts over your shoulder. The ride is firm but not go-kart jittery. The new electromechanical power steering offers good road feedback.

With the sports suspension dropped 20 millimetres lower than a regular A4 Avant, and with the usual tweaking of dampers, anti-roll bars and springs, lighter aluminium components, and 19-inch forged-alloy wheels (20-inch alloys are an option), the RS4 is ready for serious trackwork.

To extract the most from it, the owner needs to work through the driving aids, tailoring throttle responses, steering ratio, gearshift speed, damper firmness and the aggressiveness of the sports diff - three different modes in all cases.

With the help of a Launch Control feature, the quoted zero-100km/h acceleration time of 4.7 seconds is an improvement of 0.2 seconds on the previous model. It doesn't really feel that fast, due to the absence of wheelspin and fuss. It bites into the tarmac and rockets off in an effortless way. And it's good for a governed 250km/h.

The gearbox blips with gusto on the downshifts. There's some understeer turning into tighter corners, but it can be banished instantly by coming off the throttle a little. Body roll and pitch is hardly noticeable, the steering works nicely and the grip is superb. The S-tronic gearbox is lightning quick. And then there are the brakes.

The car tested was fitted with optional $13,500 carbon-fibre ceramic discs, but the regular system is more than adequate. On the track, the ceramics are Porsche-like, with outstanding stopping performance and complete absence of fade. Using premium 98 unleaded, and with a tall top gear, the average consumption is a claimed 10.7 litres per 100 kilometres, although this heads for the sky when you hit the track.

The RS 4 Avant gets all the desirable gear in an elegant dark-grey/black cabin, with carbon inlays and contrasting chrome. The interior nappa leather is typical, but perhaps a little understated given the RS's combustible character. Sports seats are comfortable and hold you in tight.

Cargo capacity is 490 litres with the seats raised, and 1430 litres with them down.

Helped by a more-for-less-money approach (the last RS 4 Avant was $170,000), Audi Australia is expecting sales of 80-100 in 2013, some to female buyers. Blokes can't have all the fun.

Vital statistics

The car Audi RS4 Avant

How much? From $149,400, plus on-road costs

Engine 4.2-litre V8 petrol quad-cam

Transmission 7-sp S tronic dual-clutch/AWD

Power 331kW

Torque 430Nm

Weight 1795kg

Fuel use 10.7L/100km

63 comments so far

This article is from the future....Feb 16!

Audi avant's. Audi's finest.

Commenter

Timothy

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 9:20AM

Audis finest?

It's a blue van

Commenter

wynkyn de worde

Location

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 4:42PM

@ $149,990 plus on roads it is a ripoff

costs $69,000 USD including taxes and dealer charges in the USA.....so as usual - its more than double...

RIP OFF

Commenter

DF

Location

Bathurst

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 11:48AM

I love your price comments on these car articles. We get punished so much in Australia.

Up vote for you :)

Commenter

Ben

Location

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 12:29PM

I totally agree... Unfortunately the government does nothing about petrol pricing, technology pricing and any other goods and services GOUGING here in Australia. AND they make soooo much money out of GST, LCT, duties when everything is twice the price! So don't expect to see this change UNLESS there is a push from high up - but if it hasn't happened yet I won't hold my breath. Hope someone out there whom has a voice that can be heard PLEASE do something about this! BTW it is not just the government it is the car manufacturers that are GOUGING too! My suggestion don't upgrade your vehicle as quickly - hold on to it for a few extra years. If everyone does this, and when the money doesn't flow in for the government and car manufacturers, they may do something about it.

Commenter

David

Location

Date and time

February 16, 2013, 6:06AM

not sure where you get $69k, its not available in the US. atleast the wagon varient. which sucks!

Commenter

AH

Location

santa monica

Date and time

February 16, 2013, 7:20AM

that car isn't available in the US (not the avant), not sure where you get your information.

Commenter

ah

Location

Date and time

February 16, 2013, 8:15AM

That price of $170k is a disgrace, "..In Germany you can buy a 5 bedroom house in the Rhineland-Palatinate, Kottenborn area;http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/property-25635090.html

Crazy prices in Australia and when things go BUST look out everyone.....is it 1987?

Commenter

BANK CASINO

Location

Sydney

Date and time

February 16, 2013, 10:00AM

Although I agree that Australians are ripped off when buyng these cars, this car is actually not available in the USA. Apart from the R8, Audi USA only brings ONE RS model into the country per year. Last year it was the TT-RS and 2013 is the year of the RS5. None of the other new RS models are available for sale in the USA.

This car looks impressive, and finally Audi has evolved with a differential as smart as the 2007 BMW M3. Unfortunately, they're still one generation of technology behind M-sport.......

Commenter

jb

Location

Date and time

February 16, 2013, 10:41AM

First of all, it's not for sale in the USA so I don't know where you get that figure from, secondly, it would be around 69 for a more basic model that wouldn't compare to the aus version, and thirdly, US prices don't include sales tax (9% in CA) - so in the US you're looking at approx 85k not 60. So it's not as bad as you think and although your point has some validity that's the price you pay of a smaller scaled economy.